Summary
The Boy and the Heron, known in the beginning as How Do You Live? (Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru Ka), is the new animated drama and fantasy by the iconic Hayao Miyazaki. The movie is produced by Studio Ghibli which is thought to be a Miyazaki’s reflection and philosophy on life and legacy after long absence from the cinema.
Miyazaki is considered to use the World War II as a backdrop to the life story of a 12 year old boy, Mahito Maki, who has recently lost his mother in a fire and has to move from the city of Tokyo to a rural estate in the company of his dad and new stepmother, who happens to be the sister of his departed mother.
The boy, who loses his mother too due to health complications, also does not manage to build a connection with the step mother, sets out to explore his new surroundings. He meets the mysterious gray titular character and a heron that chats with him. The heron describes to him the possibility of a secret magical realm and offers to accompany him to explore the world.A whisper of enchantment hovers over an unearthly world swimming with marvels and strange beings. It contains curious parakeets that walk and converse like humans, the tower of the Granduncle lit by firefly, fisherwomen made of warawara spirit-like beings, and the Granduncle, an ancient and hermetic figure who is said to live above the top of a magical tower. The Granduncle is an archetypal figure who seems to have built this incomprehensible world and seems to have some relation to Mahito’s family.
During Mahito’s vivid exploration of this world, he is confronted with a series of daunting dilemmas which leads him to gain crucial realizations about life, death, and himself. The expectation is that he will have to mature socially, reconcile with his losses, and come to grips with the fact that in this world, you can lose and yet, somehow, you can always heal.
In the end, Mahito is able to return to the real world with his newfound insight and stronger resolve. He seems to have an unwavering hold over his emotion, which is a result of his pain, that no longer weighs him down. Completely magical in nature, this world, like slumber, vanishes but the wisdoms he gained linger on.
Cast & Crew
Main Voice Cast (Japanese Version)
- Mahito Maki: Soma Santoki
An individual who grapples with internal conflict and remains quiet and sullen for long durations, having to deal with sorrow and emotion for a very prolonged period of time. The focus of the tale revolves around the person’s Maki.
- The Gray Heron: Masaki Suda
The character who is portrayed as intelligent and somewhat secretive is an important component of this story. At first, the person acts as a nuisance, but as time develops, reveals to be a savvy guide in the process of Mahito’s journey.
- Kiriko: Ko Shibasaki
An alternative character to be powerful in the story, who in addition is over caring helping Mahito.
- Lady Himi: Aimyon
Resembles gently with the qualities of a character who seem to be related to Mahito’s mother, spiritual and enigmatic.
- Shoichi Maki M. (Mahito’s Father): Takuya Kimura
An individual with qualities of a firm, who in addition has a son who is mourning and has to deal with the complications of a crying child while trying to build a fresh start.
- Natsuko (Mahito’s Step Mother): Yoshino Kimura
An individual who is very kind and contrary to Mahito, tries to build a relationship with him, she is the one who likely supports him the most.
English Voice Cast (Select International Versions)
Apart from the other members of the cast in the English dub, Christian Bale, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, and Mark Hamill also participate and voice a number of characters.
Crew
Director & Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Studio Ghibli co-founder. Among the most important figures in the history of animation.
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
He is also one of the important figures in the animation of Ghibli films. Miyazaki has worked with him for a long time.Animation Studio: Studio Ghibli
The studio’s portfolio features animated masterpieces such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke.
Music Composer: Joe Hisaishi
The Boy and the Heron features music by Joe Hisaishi, who has long been the Go-To composer for Ghibli. His work for the film is, as usual, profoundly beautiful and graceful.
Current IMDB rating
Currently, the Boy and the Heron has a 7.7 rating on IMDB.
Many ghibli works before the film has been praised for its symbolism that is beautifully crafted, the flowing hand drawn art, and for being the most emotional ghibli film to date. Out of all the Ghibli films, this one is said to be the most meditative.
Many reviewers believe that the film is a goodbye gift from Hayao Miyazaki, for incorporating various motifs from past films and weaving a story that represents the reminiscence on childhood, with a focus on imagination and aging.
The film’s pace is gentle, its imagery poetic, and its emotional resonance long-lasting.
The movie is said to be more complex and abstract than most ghibli films. However, most tend to agree that the ghibli focus on reflection is lacking, making the the film profoundly beautiful.
Themes and Interpretation
Grief and Healing
Having lost his mother, Mahito feels a striking emotional numbness and a space devoid of life within him. However, the boy’s metaphysical world appears to offer an answer, for his as yet unacknowledged loss of a parent allows him to undergo a transformation, the thematically pertinent ‘inner journey,’ immortalized in outer space and time.
Imagination as a Healing Force
In what one might call the elusive Ghibli credo, imagination is more than mere escapism, for it invites wondering as a mode of inquiry. Mahito’s metaphysical world provides him access to emotions too unwieldy to thaw in the outer world.
The Value of Choice
The ‘reality’ abroad in the film is a ‘magic world’ in and from which Mahito can make a choice to return to. Discomforting as it is, the choice to return highlights the importance of truly existing and, in the process, embracing the lamenting life.
Legacy and Continuity
But it is the Granduncle character who most fully embodies all that is wise in the world. He laments seeking a successor, and although Mahito turns down the offer, it is indicative of a more expansive solution: one doesn’t have to hold on to the past to pass on knowledge.
Motherhood and Rebirth
The similarities between Lady Himi and Mahito’s mother illustrate a fascinating metaphor for love’s timelessness. Even in her absence, Mahito’s mother still radiates her warmth and affects him in unanticipated ways.
Conclusion
More than a film, The Boy and the Heron serves as a poetic reflection on existence, mourning, and the resilience of the human spirit. Action and spectacle are secondary to the artistry that captures Miyazaki’s return—he focuses on deep contemplation, profound imagery, and a sincere portrayal of inner transformation.
Due to its gentle yet poignant essence, this film appeals to audiences of all ages. Along with magnificent artistry and a sweeping musical composition, the film draws viewers in with its universal theme. Rather than offering simple solutions, the work encourages a mid-set to actively examine one’s own existence. The invitation to live is to love, lose, and inevitably grow.
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